In what is probably the most obvious “exclusive” transfer rumour doing the rounds just now, there are reports coming out of Ibrox that we will be seeing the end of one of Steven Gerrard’s key signings as he built a squad to win title number 55.
Unfortunately for Filip Helander, he wasn’t able to stay fit enough to help us retain our title and has played a little over a handful of games over the last two seasons. This hasn’t stopped Malmo from being linked with a transfer that would see him make an emotional return to where it all started.
A report by Fraser Fletcher of Football Insider claims that the big Swede’s wages will be better used elsewhere as Ross Wilson looks to get better value for money from a smaller squad:
“Rangers are about to begin a big recruitment push in what will be a huge summer at the club as Michael Beale builds his team for the future.
“Ibrox sources have told Football Insider that Filip Helander is one of the casualties of that change as the 29-year-old will leave when his contract expires in the summer.
“Sources have said that Rangers now believe that the £15,000-a-week outlay is better spent on new additions and the club are working hard behind the scenes to bring in fresh faces.”
Depending on where you scout from, £15k a week is a lot of money. Even if we wanted to add an experienced centre-half to replace Helander we would probably have change left over given that we signed him from Serie A as an established internationalist.
This summer we have to get a lot of things right, not just who we bring in. Letting the right players go, extending the contracts on those that can make a difference and getting better value for money from a wage bill that should be producing more where it matters – in the trophy cabinet.